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UltrAspire Bryce XT Review

This overbuilt ripstop pack is feature-rich but lacks function for a hydration pack intended for running
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UltrAspire Bryce XT Review
Credit: UltrAspire
Price:  $155 List
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Manufacturer:   UltrAspire
By Jeff Colt ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 14, 2021
60
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 12
  • Comfort - 30% 6.0
  • Features - 25% 7.0
  • Hydration System - 15% 5.0
  • Volume to Weight Ratio - 15% 4.6
  • Pockets - 15% 7.0

Our Verdict

For ultrarunners who want to go further, the next step is fastpacking: bringing a super light camp kit to be able to travel overnight and maybe get some shuteye along the journey. The UltrAspire Bryce XT can carry all of the gear needed for a multi-day run or a multi-sport day. Heavier ripstop material adds durability, but also weight. While we didn't love this pack for running exclusively, its utility shone through on bike-to-run missions. Plenty of storage space is oddly divided up into a complicated pocket layout. But for the right person and applications, this can be a sweet little pack.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Multi-sport oriented
Feature-rich
REASONS TO AVOID
Complicated pocket design
Shape of pack
No included hydration system

Compare to Similar Products

 
ultraspire bryce xt
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Running Hydration Pack for Men
Top Pick Award
Best for Going the Distance
Top Pick Award
Best for Shorter Distance Races
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Price $155 ListCheck Price at Backcountry
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$164.95 at Backcountry
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$160 List
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$100 List
Check Price at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
60
87
84
79
58
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Complicated pockets and no included hydration system give us some reservations but there are some great featuresFor big days in the mountains, this vest is capable, dependable, and comfortableA top-notch running pack, with excellent pockets and a comfortable fitWhile the included soft flasks can cause rib pain, the vest design is close to flawless for trail runners looking to push their limits with speed and distanceAn affordable and highly capable pack with user-friendly features
Rating Categories UltrAspire Bryce XT Ultimate Direction... Salomon ADV Skin 12... Salomon Sense Pro 5 REI Co-op Swiftland 5
Comfort (30%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Features (25%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Hydration System (15%)
5.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Volume to Weight Ratio (15%)
4.6
8.9
7.6
6.0
3.4
Pockets (15%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
7.0
Specs UltrAspire Bryce XT Ultimate Direction... Salomon ADV Skin 12... Salomon Sense Pro 5 REI Co-op Swiftland 5
Base Weight 19.9 oz 6.5 oz 9.0 oz 4.9 oz 9.5 oz
Carrying Capacity 15L 10.3L 12L 5L 5L
Included Liquid Capacity 3L 1L 1L 1L 1.5L
OGL Volume to Weight Ratio (bigger is better!) 0.75 1.58 1.33 1.02 0.52
External Storage? Yes, large rear pocket Yes, bungees Yes, kangaroo pockets Yes, kangoo pockets Yes, bungees
Type of Water Storage Not included Two 500mL soft flasks Two 500 mL soft flasks (included), plus reservoir sleeve (reservoir not included) Two 500mL soft flasks 1.5L resevoir
Pole Holders? Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Our Analysis and Test Results

For the runner who says yes to any type of endurance outing, fastpacking, run to pack raft, bike to run, or run to climb, this pack is going to be of interest. For the runner looking for a simple hydration vest that will assist in adding some mileage to your long run, this vest might seem a little loco. But we like loco. There are just some quirks we noticed that are worth noting.

Performance Comparison


ultraspire bryce xt - this pack animal is ready to carry the load for your next link-up!
This pack animal is ready to carry the load for your next link-up!
Credit: Jeff Colt

Comfort


The length and shape of the Bryce XT will not be compatible for everyone, as the pack is narrow between the shoulder blades but widens as it extends down the pack. We found that this impacted how it carries gear and weight, putting more stress on the lower back.

ultraspire bryce xt - adjustment straps on the sides provide a tight fit and help with the...
Adjustment straps on the sides provide a tight fit and help with the pack's suspension.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Elastic fit straps on the sternum and static webbing straps across the sides keep what can be a heavy load secure. This is one of the few packs we tested that doesn't permit vertical movement of the sternum straps for different preferences. These slight points of friction contributed to the general comfort of the vest.

ultraspire bryce xt - elastic sternum straps with buckles offer a range of adjustability.
Elastic sternum straps with buckles offer a range of adjustability.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Features


Not many running packs have helmet carry options in addition to ice axe carry systems. The feature set of this pack was what caught our attention. An insulated hydration sleeve, ice axe carry, and full water resistance scream winter adventures, and the extensive front storage options enhance fast movement over rugged trails. This pack was built for the Maroon Bells traverse in Aspen, light enough for fast travel, durable for the couple 5.9 climbing moves and forced chimney shimmy, ready for that afternoon storm, carries all of the gear, and has a helmet carry for the smooth trail run back to your bike.

ultraspire bryce xt - take this pack to the mountains for rugged scrambles or to...
Take this pack to the mountains for rugged scrambles or to southwestern Utah to scrape through slot canyons.
Credit: Jeff Colt

A handy trekking pole fastener is tucked inside the external storage harness, which itself doubles as the helmet carry.

Spring ski days, multi sport missions, and rocky scrambles all call...
Spring ski days, multi sport missions, and rocky scrambles all call for a helmet, this external helmet harness makes it easy and doesn't add much additional weight.
A helmet harness includes an integrated pole carry system.
A helmet harness includes an integrated pole carry system.

Hydration System


UltrAspire doesn't include a hydration system with this pack, but it is equipped with plenty of chest pockets and a bladder sleeve. We preferred to use the Bryce XT with a 2-liter bladder, and it even has a magnetic circle for assisting with hose management.

ultraspire bryce xt - not entirely sure what the best chest pockets for soft flasks were...
Not entirely sure what the best chest pockets for soft flasks were, we tried all of them.
Credit: Jeff Colt

The pocket layout didn't make much sense for using soft flasks, though we tried our best to get a feel for how it would work. The most sensible solution was to place the soft flasks in the large zippered pockets on the chest.

ultraspire bryce xt - longer, slower days were the right speed for the bryce xt as our...
Longer, slower days were the right speed for the Bryce XT as our soft flasks jumped all around when we ran hard.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Volume to Weight Ratio


This vest was far and away the heaviest vest we tested, weighing right below 20 ounces without any hydration system. The Bryce XT 15 goes against the trend and, even as a larger pack, still scored poorly for this criterion.

ultraspire bryce xt - 100-d ripstop fabric is not light, but chances are this pack will...
100-D ripstop fabric is not light, but chances are this pack will outlast all of the light stretchy vests that weight next-to-nothing.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Pockets


One large rear pocket accessed with a zipper opens up to roughly 10 liters of storage with a smaller zippered organization pocket inside. On the outside of this pocket is the large rear external storage that works for carrying ice tools, poles, or a helmet.

Of the six front pockets, three are zippered, and two are magnetic, leaving one pull-cord cinch pocket. We can't get to the bottom of this design, and in this case, these features do not add function; they make it challenging to use the pack with soft flasks and certainly are not intuitive in terms of what should go where.

ultraspire bryce xt - the front pockets were more complicated than need be, but you likely...
The front pockets were more complicated than need be, but you likely won't lose your kets from the pockets, you'll only forget what pocket you put them in.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Value


This pack doesn't scream value to us, as it has a higher price point, doesn't come through strongly for comfort, and scores alongside cheaper options. There is a value argument to be made for durability, as this pack could last decades. But for such a feature-rich pack, it's a bummer to miss the mark on comfort and the utility of simple pockets.

Conclusion


For the right person seeking a four-season pack that won't break down under the toughest conditions, the UltrAspire Bryce XT pack will suit your needs. For the average runner and even adventurous runner, we think there are better options available.

ultraspire bryce xt - while this pack is designed for longer missions, we have some...
While this pack is designed for longer missions, we have some reservations about how user-friendly it is.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Jeff Colt